US20150020982A1 - Handle and brake arrangement for a covering for architectural openings - Google Patents
Handle and brake arrangement for a covering for architectural openings Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150020982A1 US20150020982A1 US14/326,616 US201414326616A US2015020982A1 US 20150020982 A1 US20150020982 A1 US 20150020982A1 US 201414326616 A US201414326616 A US 201414326616A US 2015020982 A1 US2015020982 A1 US 2015020982A1
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- Prior art keywords
- handle
- rail
- brake
- covering
- wall
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- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
- E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable
- E06B9/30—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable
- E06B9/32—Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor
- E06B9/325—Immobilising devices preventing raising
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
- E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable
- E06B9/30—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable
- E06B9/32—Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor
- E06B9/322—Details of operating devices, e.g. pulleys, brakes, spring drums, drives
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
- E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable
- E06B9/30—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable
- E06B9/32—Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor
- E06B9/324—Cord-locks
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
- E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable
- E06B9/30—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable
- E06B9/32—Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor
- E06B9/326—Details of cords, e.g. buckles, drawing knobs
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/40—Roller blinds
- E06B9/42—Parts or details of roller blinds, e.g. suspension devices, blind boxes
- E06B9/44—Rollers therefor; Fastening roller blinds to rollers
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/56—Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor
- E06B9/78—Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor for direct manual operation, e.g. by tassels, by handles
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/56—Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor
- E06B9/80—Safety measures against dropping or unauthorised opening; Braking or immobilising devices; Devices for limiting unrolling
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/56—Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor
- E06B9/80—Safety measures against dropping or unauthorised opening; Braking or immobilising devices; Devices for limiting unrolling
- E06B9/82—Safety measures against dropping or unauthorised opening; Braking or immobilising devices; Devices for limiting unrolling automatic
- E06B9/90—Safety measures against dropping or unauthorised opening; Braking or immobilising devices; Devices for limiting unrolling automatic for immobilising the closure member in various chosen positions
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
- E06B9/262—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with flexibly-interconnected horizontal or vertical strips; Concertina blinds, i.e. upwardly folding flexible screens
- E06B2009/2625—Pleated screens, e.g. concertina- or accordion-like
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
- E06B9/26—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds
- E06B9/28—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable
- E06B9/30—Lamellar or like blinds, e.g. venetian blinds with horizontal lamellae, e.g. non-liftable liftable
- E06B9/32—Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor
- E06B9/322—Details of operating devices, e.g. pulleys, brakes, spring drums, drives
- E06B2009/3222—Cordless, i.e. user interface without cords
Definitions
- a handle may be attached to a rail by snapping the handle into a complementary contour on the rail or by using bolts, screws or other threaded fasteners.
- the snap-on method often is not secure and may be aesthetically objectionable.
- the threaded fasteners can fail due to stripped threads, can be unsightly, or may involve the use of additional parts and labor in order to conceal the fastener.
- the present invention provides a simple, secure, inexpensive, hidden, and relatively tamper-proof connection arrangement for securing the handle to the rail.
- the handle is secured to the rail via screws, using a skewed approach angle.
- the handle may be used not only to grasp the rail, but it also may provide a convenient mechanism to engage or disengage a brake in the rail.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cellular shade product with a handle secured to the movable rail;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic, partially exploded, perspective view of the drive mechanism of FIG. 1 including the handle;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the handle of FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the handle of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 is a section view along line 5 - 5 of FIG. 1 , with the cellular shade product omitted for clarity;
- FIG. 6 is a section view, similar to FIG. 5 , but with the brake release mechanism depressed to release the brake;
- FIGS. 7-9 show the handle and brake mechanism of FIG. 5 with the lift rod omitted for clarity, and with the brake portion in three different axial positions relative to the handle portion to illustrate that the brake portion does not have to be precisely located in order for the pusher to actuate the brake release mechanism;
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the brake portion of the brake and handle mechanism of FIG. 7 ;
- FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the brake portion of FIG. 10 ;
- FIG. 12 is a section view along line 12 - 12 of FIG. 10 ;
- FIG. 13 is a section view, similar to FIG. 12 , but for a different embodiment showing a ratchet-type brake mechanism
- FIG. 14 is a section view, similar to FIG. 12 , but for a different embodiment showing a one-way bearing brake mechanism
- FIG. 15 is an enlarged, broken-away view of the handle, actuator button, and pusher portion of FIG. 6 , with the actuator button, pusher, and contact plate shown also in phantom when the button is not depressed by the user;
- FIG. 16 is a section view along line 16 - 16 of FIG. 2 , with the brake portion partially broken away for clarity;
- FIG. 17 is a section view, similar to FIG. 16 , but for an application wherein the handle is attached to a fixed top rail instead of to a bottom or movable rail;
- FIG. 18 is a rear view of the handle of FIG. 16 ;
- FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a portion of the rail of FIG. 7 showing the openings for mounting the handle.
- FIG. 20 is an enlarged, broken-away view of the handle of FIG. 18 .
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cellular shade 104 , having an upper rail 106 , a movable lower rail 102 , and a handle 118 mounted on the lower rail 102 .
- the handle 118 also may be mounted on the upper rail 106 or on any intermediate movable rails (not shown).
- FIG. 2 is a schematic showing the rails 102 , 106 in phantom, with the cellular shade itself omitted for clarity.
- the lower rail 102 is suspended from the upper rail 106 by means of left and right lift cords 108 which wind onto lift spools (not shown) in lift stations 110 (when raising the shade 104 ), or unwind from the spools of the lift stations 110 (when lowering the shade 104 ).
- the lift stations 110 are functionally interconnected by a lift rod 112 such that the lift rod 112 and lift spools of the lift stations 110 rotate in unison.
- the lift rod 112 extends through the rightmost lift station 110 and is connected to a spring motor 114 which provides a force to aid the user in lifting the shade 104 .
- the lift cords 108 wind up onto the lift spools of the lift stations 110 to retract the shade, and as the rod 112 rotates in the opposite direction, the lift cords 108 unwind from the lift spools and extend the shade or covering 104 .
- the spring motor 114 is underpowered such that it is unable to raise the shade 104 alone and needs additional input (referred to as a catalytic force) from the user to accomplish that task.
- This particular spring motor 114 also is unable to hold the bottom rail 102 in place once it is released by the user.
- the weight of the bottom rail 102 (together with the components found in the bottom rail 102 and the weight of the shade material) overwhelms the force provided by the spring motor 114 such that the bottom rail 102 will continue to drop once released by the user unless it is stopped by other means.
- a brake 116 is functionally connected to the lift rod 112 and to the bottom rail 102 to stop the lift rod 112 from rotating in at least one direction relative to the bottom rail 102 , as explained in more detail later.
- the handle 118 includes an actuator button 120 which, when depressed by the user, releases the brake 116 , which allows rotation of the lift rod 112 in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, as explained in more detail later.
- the brake 116 can be mounted anywhere along the lift rod 112 and does not have to be precisely located relative to the handle 118 in order for the actuator button 120 to function to release the brake 116 . This is advantageous, as it permits the handle to be secured to the rail 102 from inside the rail with the brake 116 out of the way, and then permits the brake 116 to be slid along the lift rod 112 into a position that is generally opposite the handle 118 , without having to worry about the precise location of the brake 116 .
- the brake 116 may be anywhere along the axial length of the rail 102 as long as it is aligned approximately in the vicinity of the pusher 122 , which in this embodiment is a shaft. As long as the pusher 122 abuts the contact plate 124 of the brake 116 , the handle and brake combination 100 will operate as designed.
- FIG. 11 shows the details of the brake 116 .
- the brake 116 includes a housing base 154 , a slide element 156 , a coil spring 158 , a splined sleeve 160 and a housing cover 162 .
- the housing base 154 is a substantially rectangular box having a flat back wall 164 , a flat front wall 166 which defines a large central opening 168 , and a forwardly extending fixed tab 170 secured to the front wall 166 for mounting the housing base 154 on the rail 102 .
- the housing base 154 includes side walls 172 , 174 , which define aligned, openings 176 , 178 which rotationally support the splined sleeve 160 .
- the housing base 154 also defines an internal projection 180 designed to receive and engage one end 182 of the coil spring 158 .
- the other end 184 of the coil spring 158 is received in a partitioned cavity 186 on the slide element 156 , in order to bias the slide element 156 in the forward (braking) direction, which is transverse to the axis of rotation of the lift rod 112 , as will be described in more detail later.
- the slide element 156 has a contact plate 124 , which is pushed against by the actuator in the handle 118 , in a direction opposite to the braking direction, in order to disengage the brake.
- the slide element 156 is received in the housing base 154 , with the contact plate 124 of the slide element 156 projecting through the opening 168 in the housing 154 .
- the slide element 156 is guided by the housing base 154 so its movement is restricted to forward and backward movement in the direction of the arrow 188 relative to the housing base 154 . Shoulders 190 , 192 on the slide element 156 limit the movement of the slide element 156 in the forward direction as they impact the front wall 166 of the housing 154 .
- the coil spring 158 biases the slide element 156 in the forward direction (which as explained later, is the braked position).
- the rear wall 194 of the slide element 156 defines a left-to-right directed ridge 196 , which extends parallel to the front and rear walls 124 , 194 of the slide element 156 and parallel to the lift rod 112 .
- the splined sleeve 160 is a generally cylindrical body defining a hollow through shaft 198 having a non-circular profile. In this particular embodiment, it has a “V” projection profile.
- the lift rod 112 (See FIG. 2 ) has a complementary “V” notch.
- the lift rod 112 is sized to match the internal profile of the hollow through shaft 198 , with the “V” projection of the hollow through shaft 198 being received in the “V” notch of the lift rod 112 , such that the splined sleeve 160 and the lift rod 112 are positively engaged to rotate together.
- the lift rod 112 is likewise prevented from rotation.
- the splined sleeve 160 also defines a plurality of radially extending splines 200 .
- the ends of the splined sleeve 160 define smooth stub shafts 201 which are rotationally supported on the “U”-shaped surfaces 176 , 178 of the housing base 154 .
- the slide element 156 has recessed arms 210 , 212 , which permit the slide element 156 to move forwardly and backwardly within the housing base 154 without interfering with the stub shafts 201 .
- a housing cover 162 snaps onto the housing base 154 to substantially enclose the slide element 156 and the coil spring 158 within the brake 116 .
- a channel 202 on the housing cover 162 and a corresponding channel 204 on the housing base 154 receive corresponding lips 206 , 208 on the rail 102
- ribs 207 , 209 on the housing cover 162 and housing base 154 engage the lips 206 , 208 on the rail 102 (See FIG. 12 ) to mount the brake 116 onto the rail 102 .
- This mounting arrangement for the cover 162 and base 154 of the brake 116 firmly secures the body of the brake 116 to the front wall 13 of the rail 102 while allowing the brake 116 to slide in the longitudinal direction along the rail 102 .
- FIG. 13 shows an alternate embodiment of a brake 116 ′ wherein the splined sleeve 160 is replaced with a ratchet sleeve 160 ′.
- the ratchet sleeve 160 ′ has angled ratchet teeth 218 ′, and the ridge 196 acts as the pawl. Due to the shape of the ratchet teeth 218 ′, the ratchet sleeve 160 ′ can freely rotate in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 13 , with the ridge 196 sliding along the tapered edge of each tooth and pushing the slide element 156 backward so the tooth can pass by the ridge 196 .
- the ratchet sleeve 160 ′ acts in the same manner as the splined sleeve 160 of the previous embodiment, with the ridge 196 abutting the ratchet tooth 218 ′ and stopping rotation of the ratchet sleeve 160 ′, the lift rod 112 , and the lift drums.
- This embodiment 116 ′ has the advantage that the brake 116 ′ need not be disengaged (unlocked) for rotation of the splined sleeve 160 ′ (and therefore rotation of the lift rod 112 ) in the counterclockwise direction (as seen from the vantage point of FIG. 13 ).
- this arrangement is configured so that disengagement (unlocking) of the brake 116 ′ is only needed for lowering the shade 104 (See FIG. 1 ).
- the shade 104 may be raised by simply pushing up on the rail 102 and allowing the motor 114 to rotate the lift drums to wind up the lift cords 108 , without first having to release the brake 116 ′ by pushing down on the button 120 of the handle 118 .
- FIG. 14 shows another alternate embodiment of a brake 116 ′′ wherein the splined sleeve 160 is replaced with a one-way bearing mechanism 160 ′′.
- the one-way bearing mechanism 160 ′′ has the same splines 200 ′′ as in the splined sleeve 160 .
- the one-way bearing mechanism 160 ′′ incorporates a one-way bearing between the splines 200 ′′ and the bore 198 , which allows the free rotation of the inner race of the bearing in a first direction but locks the inner race to the outer race of the bearing when driven in the opposite, second direction.
- the user must disengage the ridge 196 from the outer race by pressing down on the button 120 of the handle 118 as in the previous embodiments.
- this brake 116 ′′ is used advantageously so that disengagement of the brake 116 ′′ is only needed for lowering the shade 104 (See FIG. 1 ).
- the shade 104 may be raised by simply pushing up on the rail 102 , without first having to release the brake 116 ′′.
- the brake 116 may have other modifications as well.
- the splined sleeve 160 may be replaced by a smooth, non-splined cylinder, and the rear wall 194 of the slide element 156 and its corresponding ridge 196 may be replaced by a semicircular brake pad.
- the brake pad would be pressed against the cylinder by the biasing action of the spring to stop the rotation of the cylinder (and the rotation of the rod to which the cylinder is keyed). Pressing on the contact plate of the brake against the biasing force of the spring moves the brake pad away from the cylinder, allowing the cylinder and the lift rod to rotate in either direction.
- the handle 118 includes a button 120 , which the user depresses to disengage the brake 116 .
- the handle 118 defines a front-to-back directed, “U”-shaped cross-section channel 150 (See FIG. 4 ) which slidingly receives a pusher in the form of an actuator shaft 122 .
- the actuator shaft 122 is an elongated member having a substantially rectangular cross-section and defines a blunt distal end 142 , which pushes against the contact plate 124 of the brake 116 to disengage the brake 116 .
- the actuator shaft 122 also defines a sloped or ramped proximal end 144 .
- the actuator button 120 is received in an opening 152 in the handle 118 . (See FIGS. 3 and 4 ).
- the actuator button 120 includes leftwardly-and-rightwardly-extending stub shafts 146 , which are received in recesses 146 A on the handle to pivotably support the actuator button 120 on the handle 118 .
- a finger 148 extends downwardly on the front portion of the button 120 , forward of the stub shafts 146 .
- the actuator button 120 pivots about its stub shafts 146 such that the finger 148 travels along an arcuate path, moving downwardly and rearwardly.
- the finger 148 on the actuator button 120 abuts the ramped proximal end 144 of the actuator shaft 122 .
- the finger 148 moves downwardly and rearwardly, it pushes against the ramped proximal end 144 of the actuator shaft 122 , which displaces the actuator shaft 122 rearwardly so the blunt distal end 142 pushes the contact plate 124 of the brake 116 rearwardly to disengage the brake 116 .
- the finger 148 pushes rearwardly on the ramped proximal end 144 of the actuator shaft 122 , it also moves downwardly along the ramped surface 144 of the actuator shaft 122 . As a result, as the finger 148 pushes downwardly, it also pushes on a progressively more forwardly portion of the ramp on the ramped proximal end 144 of the actuator shaft 122 . This results in an effective rearward motion of the actuator shaft 122 which is considerably larger than the downward motion of the actuator button 120 . In one embodiment, the effective rearward motion of the actuator shaft 122 is at least twice the downward motion of the actuator button 120 .
- FIG. 5 shows the actuator button 120 , the actuator shaft 122 , and the contact plate 124 in the normal, braked position.
- FIG. 6 shows the actuator button 120 depressed, the actuator shaft 122 pushed rearwardly, and the contact plate 124 pushed rearwardly to disengage the brake 116 .
- the length dimension of the contact plate (the dimension extending parallel to the axial length of the rail 102 and parallel to the axis of the rod 112 (See FIG. 2 )) is substantially longer than the corresponding length dimension (the dimension extending parallel to the axial length of the rail 102 and of the rod 112 ) of the distal end 142 of the actuator shaft 122 .
- This provides substantial leeway in the positioning of the brake 116 along the axial length of the lift rod 112 while still allowing the distal end 142 of the actuator shaft 122 to abut the contact plate 124 of the brake 116 in order to release the brake 116 .
- the handle 118 can be installed onto the rail 102 at any time during the assembly process of the shade 104 . This allows the installation of the handle 118 when the rail 102 is still empty, which allows the use of fasteners extending from the inside of the rail 102 into the handle 118 .
- screws 138 are used. Since the screws 138 (See FIGS. 16 and 17 ) are installed from inside the rail 102 and into the handle 118 , they are hidden upon installation, and additional time and resources are not needed to hide these fasteners.
- the rail 102 has a U-shaped cross-section, with a front wall 102 A and a rear wall 102 B merging with a connecting wall 102 C.
- Each of the front and rear walls 102 A, 1028 has a free edge 216 .
- the front wall 102 A defines a rectangular through-opening 126 centrally located on the rail 102 between two circular through-openings 128 .
- a rectangular cross-section shoulder 130 projects rearwardly from the rear surface of the handle 118 and extends through the rectangular opening 126 of the rail 102 to locate the handle 118 on the rail 102 and to align the handle 118 with the rail 102 for assembly.
- This rectangular cross-section shoulder 130 is an extension of the body that forms the U-shaped channel 150 that receives and guides the actuator shaft 122 , as can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 .
- the rear surface of the handle 118 abuts the front surface 102 A of the rail 102 .
- Angled, runnerless screw cavities in the handle 118 allow for easy and secure insertion of the screws 138 without requiring a complicated mold for casting the handle 118 , as explained below.
- the handle 118 includes two bosses 134 , with each boss defining a pair of upper and lower skewed openings 132 U, 132 L respectively.
- Each of the openings 132 U, 132 L is defined by an angled guide surface 133 and a slotted wall 136 , which provides a slotted yielding surface.
- the slotted wall 136 is a wall that extends into the handle 118 the length of the openings 132 U, 132 L (as best appreciated in FIGS. 16 and 17 ).
- the guide surfaces 133 have a partial-cylindrical cross-sectional shape and are elongated in the front-to-back direction. As shown in FIG. 16 , each of the guide surfaces 133 of the lower openings 132 L defines an axis 214 , and each of the guide surfaces 133 of the upper openings 132 U defines an axis 215 . Due to their skewed nature, the axes 214 , 215 converge toward each other inside the handle 118 . Each of these axes 214 , 215 defines the axis of a screw 138 that is threaded into the respective opening 132 U or 132 L. ( FIG.
- FIG. 17 shows an arrangement in which the rail 102 is inverted, so the screws are threaded into the upper openings 132 U.)
- the slotted wall 136 and the slotted yielding surface defined by that wall 136 are farther from the first screw axis at the rear opening and taper toward the screw axis as the slotted yielding surface extends toward the front of the handle.
- openings 132 U, 132 L with an intermediate slotted wall 136 may be accomplished with a simple mold that does not require special inserts and yet allows for the skewed threading of fasteners onto the handle 118 .
- the axis 214 lies at an angle ⁇ relative to a horizontal plane extending in the front-to-back direction. This angle is referred to as the approach angle. Since the axis 214 clears the free rear edge 216 of the rail 102 , it allows a screw 138 to be inserted using a conventional tool, such as a conventional Philips screwdriver (not shown), with the handle of the screwdriver being located outside the rail 102 and the shaft of the screwdriver extending along the axis 214 into the rail 102 . (The shaft of the screwdriver would extend along the axis 215 in the arrangement of FIG. 17 .)
- the ramped guide surface 133 pushes the end 140 of the fastener 138 into the slotted wall 136 , so the screw grips tightly into the handle 118 in an otherwise unthreaded (runnerless) opening 132 .
- the front end 184 of the coil spring 158 is placed inside the cavity 186 of the slide element 156 lying just inside the contact plate 124 .
- the slide element 156 then is slid into the housing 154 , with the contact plate 124 projecting through the front opening 168 .
- the back end 182 of the coil spring 158 then is slid over the internal projection 180 on the housing base 154 so as to capture the coil spring 158 , with the coil spring 158 biasing the slide element 156 in the forward, braked position.
- the splined sleeve 160 is dropped in between the recessed arms 210 , 212 of the slide element 156 such that the stub shafts 201 of the splined sleeve 160 are rotationally supported on the “U”-shaped openings 176 , 178 of the housing base 154 and the ridge 196 is received between two of the splines 200 . Finally, the housing cover 162 is snapped onto the housing base 54 .
- the assembled brake 116 is then mounted into the rail 102 (See FIG. 12 ) by sliding it in from one of the ends of the rail 102 , making sure that the upper and lower channels 202 , 204 of the brake portion 116 are engaged with the lips 206 , 208 of the rail 102 .
- the brake 116 is slid axially along the rail 102 (See FIG. 2 ) until at least a portion of the contact plate 124 of the brake portion 116 is in alignment with the blunt distal end 142 of the actuator arm 122 of the handle 118 (See FIGS. 7-9 ).
- the lift rod 112 is inserted through the hollow through shaft 198 of the splined sleeve 160 and the remaining elements, such as the lift stations 110 and the spring motor 114 are mounted onto the lift rod 112 .
- handles could be used to actuate the braking arrangements that are shown, including a handle that is molded into the rail, or even no handle at all, as long as there is some way to move the actuator shaft 122 (or some other type of pusher).
- the actuator shaft or pusher could be moved manually by a button or lever that is not associated with a handle or by an electrically-operated actuator or some other actuator mounted on the rail.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a handle and brake arrangement for a covering for architectural openings.
- In typical prior art arrangements, a handle may be attached to a rail by snapping the handle into a complementary contour on the rail or by using bolts, screws or other threaded fasteners. The snap-on method often is not secure and may be aesthetically objectionable. The threaded fasteners can fail due to stripped threads, can be unsightly, or may involve the use of additional parts and labor in order to conceal the fastener.
- The present invention provides a simple, secure, inexpensive, hidden, and relatively tamper-proof connection arrangement for securing the handle to the rail. In one embodiment the handle is secured to the rail via screws, using a skewed approach angle. The handle may be used not only to grasp the rail, but it also may provide a convenient mechanism to engage or disengage a brake in the rail.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cellular shade product with a handle secured to the movable rail; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic, partially exploded, perspective view of the drive mechanism ofFIG. 1 including the handle; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the handle ofFIGS. 1 and 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the handle ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 is a section view along line 5-5 ofFIG. 1 , with the cellular shade product omitted for clarity; -
FIG. 6 is a section view, similar toFIG. 5 , but with the brake release mechanism depressed to release the brake; -
FIGS. 7-9 show the handle and brake mechanism ofFIG. 5 with the lift rod omitted for clarity, and with the brake portion in three different axial positions relative to the handle portion to illustrate that the brake portion does not have to be precisely located in order for the pusher to actuate the brake release mechanism; -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the brake portion of the brake and handle mechanism ofFIG. 7 ; -
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the brake portion ofFIG. 10 ; -
FIG. 12 is a section view along line 12-12 ofFIG. 10 ; -
FIG. 13 is a section view, similar toFIG. 12 , but for a different embodiment showing a ratchet-type brake mechanism; -
FIG. 14 is a section view, similar toFIG. 12 , but for a different embodiment showing a one-way bearing brake mechanism; -
FIG. 15 is an enlarged, broken-away view of the handle, actuator button, and pusher portion ofFIG. 6 , with the actuator button, pusher, and contact plate shown also in phantom when the button is not depressed by the user; -
FIG. 16 is a section view along line 16-16 ofFIG. 2 , with the brake portion partially broken away for clarity; -
FIG. 17 is a section view, similar toFIG. 16 , but for an application wherein the handle is attached to a fixed top rail instead of to a bottom or movable rail; -
FIG. 18 is a rear view of the handle ofFIG. 16 ; -
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a portion of the rail ofFIG. 7 showing the openings for mounting the handle; and -
FIG. 20 is an enlarged, broken-away view of the handle ofFIG. 18 . -
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of acellular shade 104, having anupper rail 106, a movablelower rail 102, and ahandle 118 mounted on thelower rail 102. As will be explained later, thehandle 118 also may be mounted on theupper rail 106 or on any intermediate movable rails (not shown). -
FIG. 2 is a schematic showing therails lower rail 102 is suspended from theupper rail 106 by means of left andright lift cords 108 which wind onto lift spools (not shown) in lift stations 110 (when raising the shade 104), or unwind from the spools of the lift stations 110 (when lowering the shade 104). Thelift stations 110 are functionally interconnected by alift rod 112 such that thelift rod 112 and lift spools of thelift stations 110 rotate in unison. Thelift rod 112 extends through therightmost lift station 110 and is connected to aspring motor 114 which provides a force to aid the user in lifting theshade 104. As therod 112 rotates in one direction about its axis of rotation, thelift cords 108 wind up onto the lift spools of thelift stations 110 to retract the shade, and as therod 112 rotates in the opposite direction, thelift cords 108 unwind from the lift spools and extend the shade or covering 104. - In this embodiment, the
spring motor 114 is underpowered such that it is unable to raise theshade 104 alone and needs additional input (referred to as a catalytic force) from the user to accomplish that task. Thisparticular spring motor 114 also is unable to hold thebottom rail 102 in place once it is released by the user. The weight of the bottom rail 102 (together with the components found in thebottom rail 102 and the weight of the shade material) overwhelms the force provided by thespring motor 114 such that thebottom rail 102 will continue to drop once released by the user unless it is stopped by other means. To stop the bottom rail from dropping, abrake 116 is functionally connected to thelift rod 112 and to thebottom rail 102 to stop thelift rod 112 from rotating in at least one direction relative to thebottom rail 102, as explained in more detail later. - The
handle 118 includes anactuator button 120 which, when depressed by the user, releases thebrake 116, which allows rotation of thelift rod 112 in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, as explained in more detail later. - The
brake 116 can be mounted anywhere along thelift rod 112 and does not have to be precisely located relative to thehandle 118 in order for theactuator button 120 to function to release thebrake 116. This is advantageous, as it permits the handle to be secured to therail 102 from inside the rail with thebrake 116 out of the way, and then permits thebrake 116 to be slid along thelift rod 112 into a position that is generally opposite thehandle 118, without having to worry about the precise location of thebrake 116. - As shown in
FIGS. 7-9 , thebrake 116 may be anywhere along the axial length of therail 102 as long as it is aligned approximately in the vicinity of thepusher 122, which in this embodiment is a shaft. As long as thepusher 122 abuts thecontact plate 124 of thebrake 116, the handle andbrake combination 100 will operate as designed. -
FIG. 11 shows the details of thebrake 116. Thebrake 116 includes ahousing base 154, aslide element 156, acoil spring 158, asplined sleeve 160 and ahousing cover 162. Thehousing base 154 is a substantially rectangular box having aflat back wall 164, aflat front wall 166 which defines a large central opening 168, and a forwardly extendingfixed tab 170 secured to thefront wall 166 for mounting thehousing base 154 on therail 102. Thehousing base 154 includesside walls openings splined sleeve 160. Thehousing base 154 also defines aninternal projection 180 designed to receive and engage oneend 182 of thecoil spring 158. Theother end 184 of thecoil spring 158 is received in apartitioned cavity 186 on theslide element 156, in order to bias theslide element 156 in the forward (braking) direction, which is transverse to the axis of rotation of thelift rod 112, as will be described in more detail later. - The
slide element 156 has acontact plate 124, which is pushed against by the actuator in thehandle 118, in a direction opposite to the braking direction, in order to disengage the brake. Theslide element 156 is received in thehousing base 154, with thecontact plate 124 of theslide element 156 projecting through the opening 168 in thehousing 154. Theslide element 156 is guided by thehousing base 154 so its movement is restricted to forward and backward movement in the direction of thearrow 188 relative to thehousing base 154.Shoulders slide element 156 limit the movement of theslide element 156 in the forward direction as they impact thefront wall 166 of thehousing 154. As indicated above, thecoil spring 158 biases theslide element 156 in the forward direction (which as explained later, is the braked position). Therear wall 194 of theslide element 156 defines a left-to-right directedridge 196, which extends parallel to the front andrear walls slide element 156 and parallel to thelift rod 112. - The
splined sleeve 160 is a generally cylindrical body defining a hollow throughshaft 198 having a non-circular profile. In this particular embodiment, it has a “V” projection profile. The lift rod 112 (SeeFIG. 2 ) has a complementary “V” notch. Thelift rod 112 is sized to match the internal profile of the hollow throughshaft 198, with the “V” projection of the hollow throughshaft 198 being received in the “V” notch of thelift rod 112, such that thesplined sleeve 160 and thelift rod 112 are positively engaged to rotate together. Thus, when thesplined sleeve 160 is prevented from rotation, thelift rod 112 is likewise prevented from rotation. - The
splined sleeve 160 also defines a plurality of radially extendingsplines 200. The ends of thesplined sleeve 160 definesmooth stub shafts 201 which are rotationally supported on the “U”-shaped surfaces housing base 154. Theslide element 156 has recessedarms slide element 156 to move forwardly and backwardly within thehousing base 154 without interfering with thestub shafts 201. - As shown in
FIG. 12 , when theslide element 156 is pushed forward by the biasingspring 158, which is its normal, braked position, theridge 196 on therear wall 194 of theslide element 156 is received between two of thesplines 200 of thesplined sleeve 160, which prevents rotation of thesplined sleeve 160 and of the lift rod 112 (and of the lift drums in the lift stations 110), thereby preventing themovable rail 102 from being raised or lowered. - When the
slide element 156 is pushed rearwardly by pushing against thecontact plate 124, theridge 196 moves out of engagement with thesplined sleeve 160, allowing thesplined sleeve 160, thelift rod 112, and the lift drums to rotate in order to raise or lower themovable rail 102. - A
housing cover 162 snaps onto thehousing base 154 to substantially enclose theslide element 156 and thecoil spring 158 within thebrake 116. As shown inFIG. 12 , achannel 202 on thehousing cover 162 and acorresponding channel 204 on thehousing base 154 receive correspondinglips rail 102, andribs housing cover 162 andhousing base 154 engage thelips FIG. 12 ) to mount thebrake 116 onto therail 102. This mounting arrangement for thecover 162 andbase 154 of thebrake 116 firmly secures the body of thebrake 116 to the front wall 13 of therail 102 while allowing thebrake 116 to slide in the longitudinal direction along therail 102. -
FIG. 13 shows an alternate embodiment of abrake 116′ wherein thesplined sleeve 160 is replaced with aratchet sleeve 160′. Theratchet sleeve 160′ has angledratchet teeth 218′, and theridge 196 acts as the pawl. Due to the shape of theratchet teeth 218′, theratchet sleeve 160′ can freely rotate in the counterclockwise direction as shown inFIG. 13 , with theridge 196 sliding along the tapered edge of each tooth and pushing theslide element 156 backward so the tooth can pass by theridge 196. However, in the clockwise direction, theratchet sleeve 160′ acts in the same manner as thesplined sleeve 160 of the previous embodiment, with theridge 196 abutting theratchet tooth 218′ and stopping rotation of theratchet sleeve 160′, thelift rod 112, and the lift drums. - This
embodiment 116′ has the advantage that thebrake 116′ need not be disengaged (unlocked) for rotation of thesplined sleeve 160′ (and therefore rotation of the lift rod 112) in the counterclockwise direction (as seen from the vantage point ofFIG. 13 ). In a preferred application this arrangement is configured so that disengagement (unlocking) of thebrake 116′ is only needed for lowering the shade 104 (SeeFIG. 1 ). Theshade 104 may be raised by simply pushing up on therail 102 and allowing themotor 114 to rotate the lift drums to wind up thelift cords 108, without first having to release thebrake 116′ by pushing down on thebutton 120 of thehandle 118. -
FIG. 14 shows another alternate embodiment of abrake 116″ wherein thesplined sleeve 160 is replaced with a one-way bearing mechanism 160″. The one-way bearing mechanism 160″ has thesame splines 200″ as in thesplined sleeve 160. However, the one-way bearing mechanism 160″ incorporates a one-way bearing between thesplines 200″ and thebore 198, which allows the free rotation of the inner race of the bearing in a first direction but locks the inner race to the outer race of the bearing when driven in the opposite, second direction. To allow rotation of the one-way bearing mechanism 160″ in the second direction, the user must disengage theridge 196 from the outer race by pressing down on thebutton 120 of thehandle 118 as in the previous embodiments. - As was the case for the
previous embodiment 116′, thisbrake 116″ is used advantageously so that disengagement of thebrake 116″ is only needed for lowering the shade 104 (SeeFIG. 1 ). Theshade 104 may be raised by simply pushing up on therail 102, without first having to release thebrake 116″. As may be readily envisioned, thebrake 116 may have other modifications as well. For instance, thesplined sleeve 160 may be replaced by a smooth, non-splined cylinder, and therear wall 194 of theslide element 156 and itscorresponding ridge 196 may be replaced by a semicircular brake pad. The brake pad would be pressed against the cylinder by the biasing action of the spring to stop the rotation of the cylinder (and the rotation of the rod to which the cylinder is keyed). Pressing on the contact plate of the brake against the biasing force of the spring moves the brake pad away from the cylinder, allowing the cylinder and the lift rod to rotate in either direction. - Referring now to
FIGS. 3-6 and 15, thehandle 118 includes abutton 120, which the user depresses to disengage thebrake 116. Thehandle 118 defines a front-to-back directed, “U”-shaped cross-section channel 150 (SeeFIG. 4 ) which slidingly receives a pusher in the form of anactuator shaft 122. Theactuator shaft 122 is an elongated member having a substantially rectangular cross-section and defines a bluntdistal end 142, which pushes against thecontact plate 124 of thebrake 116 to disengage thebrake 116. Theactuator shaft 122 also defines a sloped or rampedproximal end 144. - The
actuator button 120 is received in anopening 152 in thehandle 118. (SeeFIGS. 3 and 4 ). Theactuator button 120 includes leftwardly-and-rightwardly-extendingstub shafts 146, which are received inrecesses 146A on the handle to pivotably support theactuator button 120 on thehandle 118. Afinger 148 extends downwardly on the front portion of thebutton 120, forward of thestub shafts 146. As shown inFIG. 15 , as theactuator button 120 is depressed (from the dotted phantom position to the solid position) by the user, theactuator button 120 pivots about itsstub shafts 146 such that thefinger 148 travels along an arcuate path, moving downwardly and rearwardly. - The
finger 148 on theactuator button 120 abuts the rampedproximal end 144 of theactuator shaft 122. As thefinger 148 moves downwardly and rearwardly, it pushes against the rampedproximal end 144 of theactuator shaft 122, which displaces theactuator shaft 122 rearwardly so the bluntdistal end 142 pushes thecontact plate 124 of thebrake 116 rearwardly to disengage thebrake 116. - In addition, as the
finger 148 pushes rearwardly on the rampedproximal end 144 of theactuator shaft 122, it also moves downwardly along the rampedsurface 144 of theactuator shaft 122. As a result, as thefinger 148 pushes downwardly, it also pushes on a progressively more forwardly portion of the ramp on the rampedproximal end 144 of theactuator shaft 122. This results in an effective rearward motion of theactuator shaft 122 which is considerably larger than the downward motion of theactuator button 120. In one embodiment, the effective rearward motion of theactuator shaft 122 is at least twice the downward motion of theactuator button 120. -
FIG. 5 shows theactuator button 120, theactuator shaft 122, and thecontact plate 124 in the normal, braked position.FIG. 6 shows theactuator button 120 depressed, theactuator shaft 122 pushed rearwardly, and thecontact plate 124 pushed rearwardly to disengage thebrake 116. - As shown in
FIGS. 7-9 , the length dimension of the contact plate (the dimension extending parallel to the axial length of therail 102 and parallel to the axis of the rod 112 (SeeFIG. 2 )) is substantially longer than the corresponding length dimension (the dimension extending parallel to the axial length of therail 102 and of the rod 112) of thedistal end 142 of theactuator shaft 122. This provides substantial leeway in the positioning of thebrake 116 along the axial length of thelift rod 112 while still allowing thedistal end 142 of theactuator shaft 122 to abut thecontact plate 124 of thebrake 116 in order to release thebrake 116. - Since there is no direct mechanical link between the
handle 118 and thebrake 116, with the only requirement being that theactuator shaft 122 of thehandle 118 abut some point on thecontact plate 124 of thebrake 116, thehandle 118 can be installed onto therail 102 at any time during the assembly process of theshade 104. This allows the installation of thehandle 118 when therail 102 is still empty, which allows the use of fasteners extending from the inside of therail 102 into thehandle 118. In this particular embodiment, screws 138 are used. Since the screws 138 (SeeFIGS. 16 and 17 ) are installed from inside therail 102 and into thehandle 118, they are hidden upon installation, and additional time and resources are not needed to hide these fasteners. - Mounting the Handle on the Rail
- As shown in
FIG. 19 , therail 102 has a U-shaped cross-section, with afront wall 102A and arear wall 102B merging with a connectingwall 102C. Each of the front andrear walls 102A, 1028 has afree edge 216. Thefront wall 102A defines a rectangular through-opening 126 centrally located on therail 102 between two circular through-openings 128. As shown inFIG. 17 , arectangular cross-section shoulder 130 projects rearwardly from the rear surface of thehandle 118 and extends through therectangular opening 126 of therail 102 to locate thehandle 118 on therail 102 and to align thehandle 118 with therail 102 for assembly. Thisrectangular cross-section shoulder 130 is an extension of the body that forms theU-shaped channel 150 that receives and guides theactuator shaft 122, as can be seen inFIGS. 5 and 6 . The rear surface of thehandle 118 abuts thefront surface 102A of therail 102. - Angled, runnerless screw cavities in the
handle 118 allow for easy and secure insertion of thescrews 138 without requiring a complicated mold for casting thehandle 118, as explained below. - Referring to
FIGS. 16-20 , thehandle 118 includes twobosses 134, with each boss defining a pair of upper and lowerskewed openings openings angled guide surface 133 and a slottedwall 136, which provides a slotted yielding surface. The slottedwall 136 is a wall that extends into thehandle 118 the length of theopenings FIGS. 16 and 17 ). - The guide surfaces 133 have a partial-cylindrical cross-sectional shape and are elongated in the front-to-back direction. As shown in
FIG. 16 , each of the guide surfaces 133 of thelower openings 132L defines anaxis 214, and each of the guide surfaces 133 of theupper openings 132U defines anaxis 215. Due to their skewed nature, theaxes handle 118. Each of theseaxes screw 138 that is threaded into therespective opening FIG. 17 shows an arrangement in which therail 102 is inverted, so the screws are threaded into theupper openings 132U.) The slottedwall 136 and the slotted yielding surface defined by thatwall 136 are farther from the first screw axis at the rear opening and taper toward the screw axis as the slotted yielding surface extends toward the front of the handle. - This arrangement of
openings wall 136 may be accomplished with a simple mold that does not require special inserts and yet allows for the skewed threading of fasteners onto thehandle 118. - Referring to
FIG. 16 , it may be appreciated that theaxis 214 lies at an angle α relative to a horizontal plane extending in the front-to-back direction. This angle is referred to as the approach angle. Since theaxis 214 clears the freerear edge 216 of therail 102, it allows ascrew 138 to be inserted using a conventional tool, such as a conventional Philips screwdriver (not shown), with the handle of the screwdriver being located outside therail 102 and the shaft of the screwdriver extending along theaxis 214 into therail 102. (The shaft of the screwdriver would extend along theaxis 215 in the arrangement ofFIG. 17 .) - As the
fastener 138 is threaded into theopening 132L, the rampedguide surface 133 pushes theend 140 of thefastener 138 into the slottedwall 136, so the screw grips tightly into thehandle 118 in an otherwise unthreaded (runnerless)opening 132. - Assembly:
- Referring to
FIG. 11 , to assemble thebrake portion 116, thefront end 184 of thecoil spring 158 is placed inside thecavity 186 of theslide element 156 lying just inside thecontact plate 124. Theslide element 156 then is slid into thehousing 154, with thecontact plate 124 projecting through the front opening 168. Theback end 182 of thecoil spring 158 then is slid over theinternal projection 180 on thehousing base 154 so as to capture thecoil spring 158, with thecoil spring 158 biasing theslide element 156 in the forward, braked position. Thesplined sleeve 160 is dropped in between the recessedarms slide element 156 such that thestub shafts 201 of thesplined sleeve 160 are rotationally supported on the “U”-shapedopenings housing base 154 and theridge 196 is received between two of thesplines 200. Finally, thehousing cover 162 is snapped onto the housing base 54. - The assembled
brake 116 is then mounted into the rail 102 (SeeFIG. 12 ) by sliding it in from one of the ends of therail 102, making sure that the upper andlower channels brake portion 116 are engaged with thelips rail 102. Thebrake 116 is slid axially along the rail 102 (SeeFIG. 2 ) until at least a portion of thecontact plate 124 of thebrake portion 116 is in alignment with the bluntdistal end 142 of theactuator arm 122 of the handle 118 (SeeFIGS. 7-9 ). Finally thelift rod 112 is inserted through the hollow throughshaft 198 of thesplined sleeve 160 and the remaining elements, such as thelift stations 110 and thespring motor 114 are mounted onto thelift rod 112. - It should be noted that, as the
contact plate 124 is pushed rearwardly (transverse to the axis of rotation of therod 112 and against the biasing force of the coil spring 158), theentire slide element 156 slides rearwardly, moving theridge 196 on therear wall 194 of theslide element 156 away from thesplines 200 of thesplined sleeve 160. This unlocks thesplined sleeve 160 so it may rotate in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions (See alsoFIG. 12 ). Of course, as the user grabs thehandle 118 he naturally presses down on the button 120 (SeeFIG. 15 ) which pushes theactuator arm 112 rearwardly to push back against thecontact plate 124 of thebrake portion 116, releasing the brake, unlocking the splined sleeve 160 (and thelift rod 112 which rotates with the splined sleeve 160) for rotation in clockwise or counterclockwise directions. - While a
specific handle 118 has been shown here, it is understood that various types of handles could be used to actuate the braking arrangements that are shown, including a handle that is molded into the rail, or even no handle at all, as long as there is some way to move the actuator shaft 122 (or some other type of pusher). The actuator shaft or pusher could be moved manually by a button or lever that is not associated with a handle or by an electrically-operated actuator or some other actuator mounted on the rail. - It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention as claimed.
Claims (13)
Priority Applications (6)
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US14/326,616 US9422766B2 (en) | 2013-07-17 | 2014-07-09 | Handle and brake arrangement for a covering for architectural openings |
US14/663,600 US9677330B2 (en) | 2013-07-17 | 2015-03-20 | Arrangement for a component housing for use in a rail of a window covering |
US14/816,270 US9708850B2 (en) | 2013-07-17 | 2015-08-03 | Arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window covering |
US15/210,105 US10407981B2 (en) | 2013-07-17 | 2016-07-14 | Handle and brake arrangement for a covering for architectural openings |
US15/650,450 US10557304B2 (en) | 2013-07-17 | 2017-07-14 | Arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window covering |
US16/556,416 US11028640B2 (en) | 2013-07-17 | 2019-08-30 | Handle and brake arrangement for a covering for architectural openings |
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US201361873035P | 2013-09-03 | 2013-09-03 | |
US14/326,616 US9422766B2 (en) | 2013-07-17 | 2014-07-09 | Handle and brake arrangement for a covering for architectural openings |
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US14/816,270 Continuation-In-Part US9708850B2 (en) | 2013-07-17 | 2015-08-03 | Arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window covering |
US15/210,105 Division US10407981B2 (en) | 2013-07-17 | 2016-07-14 | Handle and brake arrangement for a covering for architectural openings |
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US16/556,416 Active US11028640B2 (en) | 2013-07-17 | 2019-08-30 | Handle and brake arrangement for a covering for architectural openings |
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US16/556,416 Active US11028640B2 (en) | 2013-07-17 | 2019-08-30 | Handle and brake arrangement for a covering for architectural openings |
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US9314125B2 (en) * | 2011-05-09 | 2016-04-19 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Manually movable rails for coverings for architectural openings |
US9422766B2 (en) * | 2013-07-17 | 2016-08-23 | Hunter Douglas, Inc. | Handle and brake arrangement for a covering for architectural openings |
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US20170234063A1 (en) * | 2016-02-17 | 2017-08-17 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Handle assembly for an architectural opening |
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US10173312B2 (en) | 2012-02-28 | 2019-01-08 | Hunter Douglas Industries B.V. | Architectural covering with repositionable handle assembly |
USD842677S1 (en) | 2016-02-17 | 2019-03-12 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Handle for a covering for an architectural opening |
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AU2020201616A1 (en) * | 2019-03-08 | 2020-09-24 | Levolor Inc. | Bottom rail assembly for a covering for an architectural structure and related assembly methods |
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US10584528B2 (en) | 2012-12-06 | 2020-03-10 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | End cap for a rail for a window covering |
US10036200B2 (en) | 2012-12-06 | 2018-07-31 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Covering for an architectural opening |
US10557304B2 (en) | 2013-07-17 | 2020-02-11 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Arrangement for mounting an actuator button onto a rail of a window covering |
US10407981B2 (en) * | 2013-07-17 | 2019-09-10 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Handle and brake arrangement for a covering for architectural openings |
US9677330B2 (en) * | 2013-07-17 | 2017-06-13 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Arrangement for a component housing for use in a rail of a window covering |
US11028640B2 (en) | 2013-07-17 | 2021-06-08 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Handle and brake arrangement for a covering for architectural openings |
US9422766B2 (en) * | 2013-07-17 | 2016-08-23 | Hunter Douglas, Inc. | Handle and brake arrangement for a covering for architectural openings |
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US20150197984A1 (en) * | 2013-07-17 | 2015-07-16 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Arrangement for a component housing for use in a rail of a window covering |
EP3081734A1 (en) * | 2015-04-14 | 2016-10-19 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | End cap for a rail for a window covering |
CN105239914A (en) * | 2015-09-29 | 2016-01-13 | 昆山隆泰汽车配件有限公司 | Vehicle-mounted anti-shaking spring-back cover curtain |
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US11199048B2 (en) | 2016-01-25 | 2021-12-14 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Handle structure and assembly for bottom rail of window shading |
US10138674B2 (en) * | 2016-01-28 | 2018-11-27 | Ching Feng Home Fashions Co., Ltd. | Control device for cordless blinds assembly |
USD842677S1 (en) | 2016-02-17 | 2019-03-12 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Handle for a covering for an architectural opening |
US20170234063A1 (en) * | 2016-02-17 | 2017-08-17 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Handle assembly for an architectural opening |
US10494861B2 (en) * | 2016-02-17 | 2019-12-03 | Hunter Douglas Inc. | Handle assembly for an architectural opening |
JP2018040108A (en) * | 2016-09-05 | 2018-03-15 | 日立建機株式会社 | Blind |
US20220356762A1 (en) * | 2021-05-04 | 2022-11-10 | Teh Yor Co., Ltd. | Window shade and actuating system thereof |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US9422766B2 (en) | 2016-08-23 |
CA3129570A1 (en) | 2015-01-17 |
CA3129570C (en) | 2023-05-09 |
US20160319594A1 (en) | 2016-11-03 |
US20190383093A1 (en) | 2019-12-19 |
AU2014204418B2 (en) | 2017-11-23 |
EP2826944B1 (en) | 2017-08-23 |
EP2826944A3 (en) | 2015-08-19 |
US10407981B2 (en) | 2019-09-10 |
EP2826944A2 (en) | 2015-01-21 |
US11028640B2 (en) | 2021-06-08 |
CA2856890A1 (en) | 2015-01-17 |
CA2856890C (en) | 2022-07-19 |
AU2014204418A1 (en) | 2015-02-05 |
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